* 1. Fold the 25 index cards, and the two 3x5 sheets of cardstock in half.

* 2. With all of the folded edges facing the same direction, align the pages (this is important, if they aren’t perfectly aligned, some of the pages might not be glued properly/could fall out), and secure with a couple of rubber bands along the edges opposite to the folds.

* 3. With your hot glue gun, apply a layer of glue all over the end of the side with the folded edges (notes: pinch the paper together as you apply the glue to make sure it is the same width all along the finished edge. Use the tip of the glue gun held at an angle to help you spread the glue evenly. When applying the glue, start from the middle, and work your way up and down to each end, be sure to use enough glue, so that all of the pages stick together. This step insures that all of your pages stick together and that they will not shift around when you adhere the cardboard spine)

* 4. Apply a bead of glue down the center of the 1/2 x 3" cardstock or paper “spine”, adhere to the fold edge of the page block.

* 5. Center and glue a 1” piece of ribbon to each end of the spine, glue to overlap the edge of spine. Glue one end of the 6” piece of ribbon to the center of one end of the spine (this will be the bookmark).

* 6. Apply a dot of glue to the center of the front page of the page block. Align and adhere the folded 3x5 sheet of cardstock. Then go around under the three non-folded edges of the paper, applying a bead of glue and smoothing as you go along. Repeat on the back of the block.

To make the cover:

* 1. On your 8.5 x 5.5 inch sheet of make the following lines:

Make a little mark at the center of each side of your paper (4.25 inches on center).

On each side of those center marks, draw three lines paralleling each other (6 lines total):

5/16”, 5/8”, 13/16” inch from the center mark.

On each of the lines 13/16” away from the center mark, make a perpendicular mark on the center of that line facing away from the line.

* 2. fold along the lines, pinch to form little pleats.

* 3. Make a pencil mark, 1 9/16” on center, on one side of each of your (2 5/8 x 3 1/8”) cardboard pieces.

* 4. On the unmarked side of the cardboard pieces, apply a dot of glue to each of the four corners.

* 5. Flip over and adhere, using the marks that you made to align the cardboard.

* 6. Trim cardstock to approx. 5/8” all around the edge of the cardboard. At an angle, trim the corners, leaving a margin of approx. 3/8”.

* 8. Crease the ridges that you made in step 2. so that they face away from the center, and overlap the cardboard.

Fold, crease, and adhere the cardstock around the margin of the covers to the cardboard.

* 9. Use the technique that you used in step 6 of making the page block to adhere the inside cover (the red cardstock) to the inside of the back of the cover.

You’ll have a 1/16 margin all around the edge of the lining of the cover.

* 10. Repeat step 9, to adhere the front lining/page to the other side of the cover.

* 11. voila! You have a lovely custom book for jotting your dreams and schemes.

Lovely options:

* You could use colored or patterned papers and cardstock for the pages.

* Add multiple bookmarks. You could add beads or tassels at the ends of your bookmarks.

I know this was posted awhile back, but I just made it and wanted to make a note. As I was sorting through my craft box I found some very cute fabric scraps, but decided to follow suit and use paper. I don't know if I just pulled/glued too tightly but there were some small tears in the edges/spine of the "cover" so next time (there will be a next time!) I will be using fabric instead of paper! Which I think will be excellent!

This is such a wonderful idea. I love that you can decide on the color of paper you want for the inside and personalize the outside of the book. My only concern would be the paper staying in and how fragile it would be. Any suggestions so I would be able to make this for a possibly? It would be great to design it with personal pictures on the front cover too!

What a wonderful project! I always admire lovely little books like those in the store, so it is great to learn how to make them.

By the way, for those of you using a glue gun for the first time, it is important to keep safety in mind. You might want to consider wearing safety glasses and gloves to prevent against burns. This is particularly true if it is your first time working with a glue gun. Also never leave the glue gun plugged in and unattended!

This tutorial is awesome! I just made a little book of your designing for my mom and mother in law for mother's day using my little guy's artwork for the cardstock...it is so lovely, I can't wait to share it with them! We used http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/09/shaving-cream-marbled-paper.html website to create this marble paper and it is wonderful. Thanks again, there will be happy grandmas this mother's day.

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I really appreciate the step by step pictures and instructions. I've already made several little notebooks and everyone who sees them likes them! I even tweaked it a little and made a bigger one with 4x6 index cards. Lots of fun! :)

helloo im really interested in trying it out, what kind of hot glue gun did you use, I'm looking to buy one , but I don't know if for doing crafts in general or book biding whats better, if the thin one of 20 watts or the thick one that's 60watts. don't really know which one is better. :)